I had originally intended writing about Sparky and some of her little stories but since she passed away and reached the grand old age of 7 years there was too much to tell and it brought back too many memories.

Instead I thought I'd start this thread on my newest little arrival so that her story starts at the beginning and those people who helped rescue her can keep up with her antics. So in true story telling fashion...

Once upon a time... there was a cat who was found playing with something small and furry near a back garden. This small and furry creature turned out to be a baby guinea pig and sadly was not that furry after all. The baby had not been injured by the cat and luckily, was found by a cavy savvy owner. On further investigation it turned out to be an allotment where the cat had found the baby piggy where several dilapidated hutches and a shed were being used to breed guinea pigs and rabbits in some pretty dire conditions. Taking a closer look, our rescuer found a small group of very young pups huddled under a hutch where they had obviously escaped from, or fallen out of.

Grabbing what she could and stuffing pups into pockets, she also grabbed a nursing sow from one of the hutches and left. After phoning the SPCA, it was down to caring for the 6 youngsters and mum. They were all very thin and underweight and some had hairloss likely due to mites and their poor condition. Some of the pups also had extra toes.

After much TLC and supplementary handfeeding, as poor mum was not in a great condition to feed all the pups herself, they seemed to thrive.

One of these small sow pups was to eventually come home with me and was named after the Beatrix Potter hedgehog - Mrs Tiggy-Winkle as her back end had black and brown hair standing up in all directions.
Called Tiggy for short, this is the first pic I was sent of her at a few days old with a rescued sibling in the background.

At this stage I have to admit there were other piggies still in the running in the hunt for a new friend for Chilli after Sparky died. Unfortunately some of these turned out to be boys instead!
I was sent these 2 photos to help in my decision making - but how to chose from so many cute piggy pups?!

After much care and attention, Tiggy arrived at Thistle Cavies with some of her siblings and mum to be rehomed. A few days passed for them to settle down and recover after their journey. This is where I came face to face with the little furry that would eventually be coming home with me. I was told Tiggy would be a good choice as she seemed to be getting picked on in the cage by mum and a couple of siblings.
That was it. Tiggy came home with me that night and spent her first night in her new home in a cage by herself to adjust.

Since I knew she had been treated for everything under the sun and Chilli had been updated on all her treatments, they were introduced the next day. Well, I have never had a piggy settle in so quick! Since my set up is free range, I expected young Tiggy to be scared of open spaces and hide everywhere, not to mention leave little 'magic beans' or worse everywhere. How wrong was I? This little pig who had obviously been well handled from the day she was rescued was as bold as brass and very chatty. She quite happily trotted about checking out everything, was not in the least bothered by me and answered every time i spoke to her. Chilli seemed to be the only one whose nose was put out of joint by this new arrival. Thankfully she wasn't aggressive - just a bit miffed!

I am sorry you lost your remarkable miss Sparky, webs - she had the most adorable face, and I loved the picture of her and the juice!

I have been a great Beatrix Potter fan since early childhood, and The Story of Miss Tiggy-Winkle is among the favorites, so I think Miss Tiggy is a very good name for cute little piggy girl! She is so lucky to be with you in stead being bred from an early age by irresponsible people.

Yay for the person who rescued her, and for you taking her in - and for the bold little Miss Tiggy herself!

To continue with the great piggy tales! Tiggy has been a little star in her toilet training because basically I haven't done anything! She hasn't really disgraced herself yet and soon discovered what the litter trays were for within a couple of days. She only slept in her own cage the first few nights to make sure Chiili wouldn't bully her over the sleeping arrangements or breakfast. The first night she was in the shared cage with Chilli she did whine and gnaw at the bars but that was only till she realized the pigs did get out again in the morning!

I only have room for a large pet store cage but the piggies have the added bonus of a ramp to come and go from breakfast to bedtime - usually mine which can be pretty late!
So far for a youngster, she hasn't been too destructive - one corner of my wardrobe has been 'tasted' and one of the ends of a lace on my Timberland boots has now become a frizzy mess minus it's plastic tip. Guess that's what she thinks of my taste in outdoor footwear!

Oh, Tiggy!

Until she's bigger, I have had to put towels around the trolley supporting the cage as Tiggy soon discovered she was small enough to crawl underneath. Fair enough she can crawl out again, but the wails of woe coming from under the cage at teatime would have been enough to get the SPCA involved on suspicion of animal abuse. Boy, does that small furry beastie have a loud voice!

In fact, Tiggy doesn't approve of silence. She greets me when I get in with a sound that's similar to a high pitched whine crossed with a ghost from Scooby Doo! She will squeak, screech or wail at any noise really. The door opening, the sliding door to the kitchen, the fridge, running water, the classic plastic bag rustle, crockery and cutlery noises, cupboard doors closing, the TV, the computer and me sneezing! Piggies must be pre-programmed that any noise can potentially bring food if they try hard enough.

This little pig is also the first pig in my household to truly appreciate the Super Pet furniture! At long last it has been worth buying. I have the chair and bed set up together and Tiggy loves bouncing and popcorning over them.
There is evidence that she enjoys lounging in a quiet moment and also that she thinks the chair doubles up as a toilet facility. Ah, well, you can't have everything perfect all the time. :o)

Chilli has been very good at teaching manners and the value of 'quiet time'. Sadly this may be due in part to her not being in full health as she is showing signs of kidney problems and possible heart issues, spending much of her time resting. Tiggy does calm down however, long enough to catch her breath and will chill out with Chilli in their favourite corners. Under this lilac fleece there is actually two bumps. The smaller one on the left is called Tiggy, the larger on the right is Chilli!
This white coroplast box is a play box with several entrances and a tunnel and litter tray with hay and other food stuffs that get added from time to time. Keeps the main areas belonging to me free of hay and other piggy bits - in theory anyway. A high speed sprint through the box does tend to leave a trail of hay in its wake though. Tiggy does love her zooming about. :o)

The original coroplast box has been downsized slightly, in some mistaken idea that the smaller one would make less mess... hah!

Sitting in the back corner, just as you find at any major outdoor event there is the temporary public conveniences. The blue piggy travel box has newspaper and hay in it so they can sit and catch up on what piggies do best, eating and pooping. However, newcomers may have to queue at the door until some kindly elder allows them entrance. :o)

Last but not least, the tall cupboard floor has also been taken over, now affectionately called 'House at Pooh Corner' as there can be quite a pile of 'magic beans' in the cosies depending on how inactive the piggies have been.
The original inhabitants, Sparky and Chilli in their favourite spot.

To finish this little chapter, the first official portrait of Her Majesty. Hopefully in future, with a little more practice, we may manage without the bribery.
No chance! Where's the exit?
Haven't we finished yet?!

Tiggy is now on an extended 'holiday' with Chilli and myself, back at my parents while my kitchen gets ripped out and replaced.

The next chapter is from there, where after a shy start, Tiggy is coming out of her shell and hasn't disappointed with her noisy little greetings - to anyone and everyone in passing!

It looks like Miss Tigg is settling in well. She sure is cute. Chili seems to be doing a good job of teaching Tiggy the ways of the world. We have a portaloo like that for when we're outside. Maise used to stand in the entrance and survey her kingdom.